A bumper crowd is forecast at Oxford Stadium on Sunday as the Cowley venue hosts its second Gala Race Night, and racegoers are being encouraged to buy tickets in advance.
Over 1,500 people packed the terraces on Friday, September 2, when Stefans Jet trained by Oxfordshire-based Chris Hamblin made history by becoming the first greyhound to win at Sandy Lane in 10 years.
Now, stadium bosses expect to welcome their biggest crowd since grand opening night when hosting 11 Open races – the highest grade in the UK greyhound racing – on New Year’s Day from 7.10pm.
All races will be broadcast globally via Racing Post Greyhound TV with £500 on offer to the winner of each race. And in an exciting first, the stadium will operate races over all distances – 253m, 450m, 650m, 847m and 1047m – in one single evening.
Kevin Boothby, Oxford Stadium Managing Director, encouraged groups of friends and families yet to experience live greyhound racing in Oxford to start 2023 with a bang.
“Our opening Gala Night was an extraordinary success,” said Kevin. “Our terraces and indoor viewing areas were packed, which to me proves greyhound racing has a future in the UK and Oxford can be at the heart of the sport’s revival.
“We want to establish greyhound racing as a cost-effective, alternative, fun and family-friendly night out which everyone can enjoy. Our New Year’s Day Gala Race Night will showcase everything that is great about our sport and allow racegoers to get up close to the action and the dogs who are undoubtedly the stars of our sport.
“For the greyhound enthusiasts, we have an excellent 11-race all-open card programmed which no doubt will attract some of the UK’s big names with good prize money on offer. I’d encourage everyone to book their tickets in advance and come and experience the thrill for yourselves.”
Oxford Stadium’s second Gala Race Night follows on from a busy December in which the Cowley venue hosted its second major Category One competition worth £10,000.
Recent Hunt Cup champion Chelms Cub was triumphant in the bet365 Challenge Cup for trainer Jason Heath when passing favourite Antigua Sugar in the closing strides.
Kevin added: “We promised to please the greyhound racing public by delivering the best action possible on track, and I believe we’ve achieved this.
“In the interests of the safety of greyhounds, we were forced to cancel a small number of meetings during a spell of extreme low temperatures. Reopening Oxford Stadium was not a simple operation, and I am proud of everyone who has contributed to regenerating this excellent facility.
“Chelms Cub was a worthy winner of the bet365 Challenge Cup and we’d like to congratulate all winning connections for their success. Hopefully we see him back in OX4 again very soon.”
Tickets for Oxford Stadium’s New Year’s Day Gala Race Night are on sale now from just £9 and can be purchased by visiting www.oxford-stadium.co.uk. U14s enter for free.
